Overview of entrance requirementsAll visitors MUST have
Entrance PassesStandard Entrance Pass$15.00–$25.00
Indiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks.
If you have any further questions regarding national park and state park passes, please stop by or call the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 219 395-1882.
7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Motorcycle
Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase) In-person Purchase Locations
7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle
Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase). In-person Purchase Locations
7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups)
Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesEntry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people.
Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate). In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people. In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.
In-person Purchase Locations
Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00
Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.
In-person Purchase Locations
 Annual Entrance - Park$45.00 Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass
This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov. In-person Purchase Locations
2023 Fee-free DaysNo entrance pass required on these days:
Places To Purchase A Pass7-Day entrance passes, Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass, and Interagency Passes can be purchased from the following locations:
7-Day entrance passes and Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Passes may also be purchased from:
7-Day entrance pass offered with stay only
Have Questions?Follow this link to watch an informative video about the new entrance fees and passes available.Why the fee?The fee revenue will help fund a wide variety of deferred maintenance and new projects like the Marquette Greenway Bike Trail, parking and transportation improvements, and visitor services for a park that has seen its attendance increase from 1.7 million visitors to more than 3 million since its name change in February of 2019. At least 55% of this revenue must be used for maintenance while the rest can be used to supplement operations and fund improvements to visitor services.Will this fee be accepted at Indiana Dunes State Park? No, this new fee is only for the national park and does not cover the fee collected by the state for entrance into the Indiana Dunes State Park. Will my Federal Lands Pass work for this fee?Yes, the following federal passes will work:America the Beautiful (Annual pass to Federal Lands, $80) Senior (62 years old; $20 for Annual Senior Pass or $80 for Lifetime Senior Pass) Military (Active Military, No cost) Veterans & Gold Star Families (No cost) 4th Grade (No cost) Access (Permanent Disability; No cost) Will my Indiana State Parks Pass be a accepted for this fee?No.How will people pay the fee?Fees are paid at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, the West Beach Entrance Station (seasonally) and on-line at Recreation.gov. We do not plan to build entrance stations at each parking lot.Do you have to pay an entrance fee every day?The $25 vehicle pass is good for 7 days or you can buy an annual pass for that is good for a year from when it is purchased.Is it ever free to enter the National Park?Yes, there are five days a year when all national parks are free to enter:-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 17th in 2022) -First Day of National Park Week (April 16 in 2022) -Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (Always on August 4th) -National Public Lands Day (September 24th in 2020) -Veterans Day (always November 11th) In addition, the park superintendent has the authority to designate a limited number of fee-free days at Indiana Dunes National Park. These days have not been determined. There is no fee required to enter the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or the Paul H. Douglas Center. Do you have to pay the fee to drive, bike or kayak/boat though the park?No, simply passing through the park on roads, bike trails or by water (Little Calumet River or Lake Michigan) does not require an entrance fee. However, if you stop in the park to walk a trail, use the beach, eat in a picnic shelter, or use other park facilities, an entrance fee should be paid.Do delivery trucks or other commercial vehicles have to pay a fee?No, vehicles entering the park to do work or deliver goods do not have to pay the fee.Do School Groups have to pay the fee for field trips?No, educational groups coming to the park can receive an Educational Fee Waiver. They need to contact the park at least three weeks in advance to request the waiver.Why do I see vehicles in official lots without parking passes?Many visitors (especially on holidays and weekends) pay the park's entrance fee electronically. Parking enforcers access this information remotely to determine if a vehicle has paid. My question is not in this FAQ. How do I get it answered?Call the park’s visitor information line at 219-395-1882.Loading...
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Picnic Shelter ReservationsThere are picnic shelters located at many locations within Indiana Dunes National Park. Most are first come, first served, with the following exceptions:
Your Fee Dollars At WorkThe fees you pay when visiting Indiana Dunes National Park or when staying in the campgrounds make a difference. Entrance Fees are used to provide custodial and lifeguard services. Without you, the visitor, these services would not be possible. Fees collected from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act allowed us to complete projects like:
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Last updated: July 6, 2023